Dubai Launches DIFC’s First Regulated Tokenized Money Market Fund, Bridging Traditional Finance and DeFi
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Dubai takes a major step in digital finance with the launch of the Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) first regulated tokenized money market fund, the QCD Money Market Fund (units in QCDT), by QNB Group, Standard Chartered, and DMZ Finance. The fund sets a new benchmark for Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization in the Middle East, offering investors enhanced liquidity, transparency, and digital access to high-quality assets.
QCDT Strengthens UAE’s Position as a Global Hub for Tokenized Assets
The fund is initiated and managed by QNB Group, the largest bank in the Middle East and Africa, with DMZ Finance providing the exclusive tokenization infrastructure. Capricorn Fund Managers (DIFC) Limited (CFMD) serves as Fund Manager, while Standard Chartered acts as custodian, ensuring secure management of the underlying assets. Standard Chartered’s regulated digital asset custody services, launched in DIFC in 2024, further reinforce the fund’s credibility.
QCDT bridges traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi), giving investors digital access to assets such as US Treasury bills and USD deposits. It can be used in smart contracts and as collateral for trading credits and loans, connecting traditional finance with the digital economy.
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Institutional Adoption and Market Impact
Mr. Silas Lee, CEO of QNB Singapore, said QCDT empowers investors to integrate yield-bearing traditional assets into the digital space seamlessly, enhancing liquidity, transparency, and stability.
Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for the UAE, Middle East, and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, noted that QCDT reinforces the UAE’s ambition to lead regulated digital markets, attracting global institutional investors and strengthening the UAE as a bridge for capital flows.
Nathan Ma, Co-Founder of DMZ Finance, added that QCDT connects exchanges with institutional clients, addressing liquidity needs and expanding the reach of compliant tokenized assets. Several institutional clients and listed companies have already engaged with the fund, highlighting its strong market appeal.
QCDT Paves the Way for Global RWA Tokenization
As the first regulated tokenized money market fund in DIFC, QCDT demonstrates strong authority, compliance, and security. Its adoption as collateral by QNB Group and mirrored collateral by global exchanges highlights its growing utility. The initiative positions the UAE at the forefront of digital finance innovation and is expected to accelerate global adoption of Real World Asset tokenization.
The launch of QCDT marks a pivotal step in integrating traditional finance with DeFi, offering institutional investors a transparent, liquid, and secure avenue to participate in tokenized markets, while establishing the UAE as a leading global hub for digital asset innovation. Market observers expect QCDT to drive further growth in regulated digital assets across the region and globally.
